Magnet Cup Individual Snooker Handicap Final

The final was played between Liam O'Neil (+10) and John Hartley (+5) both of the Redcar Literary Institute at the Grinkle Park Hotel on Wednesday 25th September. The match referees were Phil Vaughan and Brian Magor.

Liam O'Neil got off to a great start winning the first frame aided by a couple of handy 11 and 13 breaks to win by 52-39. Hartley replied quickly in the second game with breaks of 27, 14 and 11 winning this frame by 70 - 27. Hartley then led in the third game by 39 - 12 until O'Neil fought back with a 21 break. Hartley dug in his heels and eventually won this game by 59 - 33. Hartley now 2 - 1 up, made it 3-1 when taking the next game aided by an excellent 28 break. Now on a roll, Hartley followed this up with breaks of 38 and 20 to win the next game and the match with a frame score of 60-8 and is therefore this years winner of the Magnet Cup.

The Bass Shield Seniors Snooker semi final.

The second semi final of the Bass Shield seniors snooker competition was played between Arthur Smith of the Guisborough Cons. Club and Ron Greenwood from New Marske Working Mens Institute. The match was played at the Redcar Cons. Club on Monday 30th September and the match referee was Phil Vaughan. Both players got off to a great start potting some good balls but Greenwood was trailing by 37 - 39 until potting the final pink and black balls to win the initial frame 48 - 39. Greenwood encouraged by his early push then led the second game by 25 - 7 until Smith retalliated with a 21 break. The game was eventually decided on the final black with Smith winning by 49 - 41 and now levelling the match. Greenwood forged ahead in the next and with only the colours remaining led by 48 - 36, that was until Smith seized a golden opportunity when clinically clearing all the colours to win by 63 - 48. The next game was a scrappy affair but Smith came out on top winning by 44 - 30 and with this won the match by 3 frames to 1.

2002 - 2003 Snooker League.

Division 1

The first week of the new season provided the first shock result when last years runners up, Redcar Lakes were beaten by Marske Workies 'A' team. Dave Beckett got the Lakes off to a great start winning both of his games against an out of sorts Dave Rhodes by 76 - 2 and 54 - 5. Andrew Williams then levelled the match for Marske when beating Gary Beckett in both his games with scores of 60 - 39 and 50 - 32. Andrew Mudd then sealed a 4 - 2 win for Marske after beating Mark Thurston by 68 - 17 and 56 - 2. Newly promoted Lune Street 'B' got their season off to a great start beating Grinkle on their own patch by 4 frames to 2, during which Chris Smith of Lune Street compiled an excellent 58 break against opponent Simon Page. Carlin How also won on their travels beating Guisborough T.A. 4 - 2, Brian Magor was the star on the night for Carlin when taking the final two games off Stewart Briggs therefore sealing the win. Other 4 - 2 away wins were chalked up by Guisborough Cons. 'Aagainst Redcar Unionists 'A', Redcar Lakes 'C' against newly promoted Redcar Cons. 'B' and Redcar Cons. 'A against Redcar Lakes 'B'. Saltburn Cons. 'A' chalked up a good 4 - 2 home win against New Marske 'A'

Division 2

Newcomers Guisborough Cons. 'B' got their new season off to a great start when beating the Redcar Unionist's 'B' team by 4 frames to 2. Mick Chivers was first to the table playing Dave Gray of the Unionists, the spoils were shared with both players winning one frame each. Mark Stewart then took the next two games off Phil Vaughan putting Guisborough ahead by 3 frames to 1. Neil Grainger and Anthony McGee then shared the next two frames.

Even though the Unionists 'B' team were beaten they were now in second place in the League, that was until the following day when further result cards popped through the letter box. Guisborough Quoit also got their season of to a great start when beating Ennis Square's 'B' team by 5 frames to 1. Ennis Square's 'A' team did better when beating the Lodge by 4-2. Lune Street 'also beat the Redcar Lit by the very same score line. Finally Carlin How's 'B' team chalked up an impressive 5 - 1 win against Val's Priory.

Durham County Super League

The race is now on to see who can clinch second and third place in the league. It looks almost certain Horden will be champions in their debut year. Shildon are currently in second place two points ahead of Durham B. Crook B who have won their last eleven matches are seven points behind Shildon with a game in hand,however Hordens next two games are against Crook B (Oct 13th at Belle vue club) and Durham B(Oct 20th at Horden catholic club) this could allow Crook A and Ferryhill back in the race for a top three finish.

Results week 18. Crook A 6 Durham B 8, Aycliffe A 7 Consett 7, Horden 10 Aycliffe B 4, Durham A 5 Crook B 9.

Matches played in brackets. Horden 151 pts (16) Shildon 122 (16) Durham B 120 (16) Crook A 119 (17) Ferryhill 116 (16) Crook B 115 (15) Aycliffe A 115 (17) Consett 93 (15) Bishop 91 (15) Durham A 90 (14) Aycliffe B 79 (17).

Bishop Auckland and District League

Bishop Auckland Snooker Club B secured third place in the final table after they beat their hosts at Bishop Auckland Derby in the deciding doubles. The captain's games were played first with Chris Peacock taking both for the visitors against Michael Richardson. The Derby followed to level with wins in the singles from Michael Richardson and Kevin Singleton with one each, whilst Paul Stewart and Andrew delve added two each. The visitors replied with two points from Kevin Stewart and one each from Chris Peacock and Paul Willey. The Derby clinched their victory when Steve Balanaves and Kevin Stewart beat Paul Stewart and Andrew Delve in the deciding doubles.

Tow Law League

Tow Law Dan's Castle A put themselves firmly in the frame to land their first Championship when they only dropped two points against their visiting challengers from Tow Law Football Club, who only managed two of the doubles points. The singles winners for the Castle were Ian Johnson, David Craggs, Lee Stockdale, Anthony Hird, Jamie Dowson and Lee Furber. This result moved the Castle into a six points lead with a match in hand, whilst Tow Law New Market B moved a point ahead of Tow Law Football Club. Tow Law New Market B only dropped one singles in their home match against Tow Law Dan's Castle B, who had David Murray as their only winner. The New Market had wins from John Beveridge, Gavin Tennant, Robert Hopps, David Spencer and Ray Weir. However after winning the first doubles, the New Market lost the last two doubles and so failed to strengthen their runners-up chances.

Results: Tow Law Cattle Mart 4 Hamilton Row Black Horse 5; Sunniside Comedian 4 Tow Law New Market A; Tow Law Rose and Crown 5 Lanchester King's Head 4; Esh Football Club 8 Tow Law North Point 1; Tow Law New Market B 6 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 3; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 7 Tow Law Football Club 2.

Bishop Auckland Area League

Ferryhill Station Eldon Arms, who were topping the table after the first two weeks, played hosts to Henknowle Manor. The visitors got off to the better start by taking the opening two frames through Ron Wright and Peter Mernor. Steve Wray then replied with one for the home side before Martin Armstrong and Steven Webb made it four-one to the Manor. Dave Bromley then took the next game for the hosts and the Manor took the next three with wins from Peter Mernor, Jon Tomlinson and Steven Webb with John Mason then taking the final game for The Eldon Arms to leave the score after the singles 3-7. Dave Bromley and John Mason won the opening doubles for the home side who also took the second through Terry Wray and Steve Webster. Finally, Steven Webb, with his third win of the night in the captains gave the Manor another point for an 8-5 victory.

Bishop Auckland King's Head visited the Bishop Auckland Grand A this week and, after an end-to-end contest, it was the home side that came out on top. Kevin Watson put the visitors ahead after the first singles match but then Rob Dalton drew the home side level. The Kings then took a two point lead through David Jacomb and Steven West before the Grand's Shaun Reynolds and John Rickaby made the match all square again. Andrew Tuesday put the King's ahead before Rob Dalton and Shaun Reynolds put the Grand 5-4 in front, meaning the Kings could only draw the singles. Steven Bainbridge duly won the point for the visitors leaving the score at 5-5 after the singles. The Grand took the rest of the points with John Rickaby and Gary McCaskill winning the first doubles, Steve Gardiner and Lee Ellison the second and Shaun Reynolds taking his third point of the night in the captains for an 8-5 victory.

Results (singles in brackets): Bishop Auckland Bay Horse 5 (3) Spennymoor Voltigeur 8 (7); Bishop Auckland Derby 11 (8) Spennymoor Victoria 2 (2); Ferryhill Station Eldon Arms 5 (3) Henknowle Manor 8 (7); Bishop Auckland Grand A 8 (5) Bishop Auckland Kings Head 5 (5); Bishop Auckland Green Tree 9 (6) Bishop Auckland Wheatsheaf 4 (4); Spennymoor Hillingdon 5 (4) Bishop Auckland Grand B 8 (6).

Willington League

Willington Black Horse Tavern needed a recovery act in the doubles in the first week of the new season to edge through to an odd point victory in their home match against Willington Brewer's Droop B. The singles were shared with Nevile Ridley, Tommy Parkin and Andrew Irwin winning for the home side, whilst Carol heslop, Jimmy Fleming and Davey Gallagher replied. The Brewer's went ahead when Gallagher and Fleming took the first doubles but Steven Pardew and Eddie Haig took the second to set up the decider, where Neville Ridley and Tommy Parkin beat Tom Fleming and Mike Ashurst.

Results: Hunwick Club 7 Willington Cottles B 2; Willington Black Horse Tavern 5 Willington Brewer's Droop B 4; Willington Lion and Unicorn 7 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2; Willington Cottles A 6 Hunwick Quarry Burn 3. No results received from Prospect Club v Willington Commercial or Willington Brewer's Droop A v Willington Market.